Director Na Hong Jin is headed to the Cannes Film Festival, as his latest film 'Hope' has been selected for the main competition section.
The Cannes Film Festival committee announced the official lineup, including competition entries, during a press conference held in Paris on April 9 (Korean time), ahead of the 79th edition of the festival.
Na Hong Jin secured a spot in the competition with 'Hope,' where he will compete against new works by acclaimed filmmakers such as Japan’s Hirokazu Koreeda and Iran’s Asghar Farhadi.
This marks the first time in approximately four years that a Korean film has been invited to the Cannes competition section. In 2022, director Park Chan Wook won Best Director for 'Decision to Leave.'
Last year, no Korean feature films were invited to either the competition or non-competition sections, marking the first time in 12 years since 2013 that Korea had no official feature film invitations.
Amid concerns over a downturn in the Korean film industry, Na Hong Jin is now set to challenge for the Palme d’Or. It also marks his return to Cannes for the first time in a decade since 'The Wailing' (2016), which was screened out of competition.
Notably, Director Na has achieved the rare distinction of having all of his feature films invited to Cannes. 'The Chaser' (2008) was screened out of competition, while 'The Yellow Sea' (2010) was invited to the Un Certain Regard section.
'Hope' tells the story of a local outpost chief stationed at Hopo Port near the Demilitarized Zone, who hears reports from local youths about the appearance of a tiger.
The film has drawn attention not only as Na Hong Jin’s latest project but also for its star-studded cast, including Hwang Jung Min, Jo In Sung, Jung Ho Yeon, Michael Fassbender, and Alicia Vikander.
Meanwhile, director Yeon Sang Ho has been invited to the Midnight section, a non-competition category, with 'Colony,' which depicts survivors fighting for their lives inside a building locked down due to an outbreak.
The Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 12 to May 23. Director Park Chan Wook will serve as jury president, becoming the first Korean to hold the position.
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